ALDEN, John

1599 - 1687  (87 years)

 Set As Default Person

• Name	ALDEN, John  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  Residence	1599	England   [5]
  	I am saving this record as a source of names associated with Alden in England. Ailwan and Aylwin were family Alden names. These families were well known to be in all eastern counties of England during the Norman invasion of 1066.
  Birth	15 Sep 1599	Harwich, Essex, England   [1, 4, 5]
  Residence	Between 1600 and 1890	USA   [5]
  Baptism	6 Jul 1600	Hackney, Middlesex, England   [5]
  Gender	Male
  Arrival	1620	Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  Differentiator	Mayflower passenger
  Great Migration	https://www.americanancestors.org/DB393/rd/12107/21/235171134
  Mayflower	Yes
  Misc	1620	Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
  	Mayflower Pilgrim
  Residence	1632	Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  Residence	1633	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  	Listed are John Alden's parents, possible grandparents, his wife, Priscilla, his children, and assorted Plymouth work he performed, generally associated with government
  Residence	1638	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  	A sampling of what life was like during this time period for John Alden and his pilgrim friends.
  Residence	1640	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA
  	Alden homestead was built here
  Record Date	1687	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  Web Address	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Alden
  Web Address	https://www.americanancestors.org/DB393/rd/12107/21/235171134
  Web Address	https://www.familysearch.org/en/blog/john-alden-priscilla-mullin
  Web Address	https://www.mayflower400uk.org/education/who-were-the-pilgrims/2019/october/heartwarming-story-of-the-mayflowers-most-famous-love-story/
  Possessions	Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5]
  	www.alden.org/our_house/househistory.htm
  _ORIG	Southampton, Hampshire, England   [5]
  Death	12 Sep 1687	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [1, 4, 5]
  	Age: 87
  Burial	South Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [1, 4, 5]
  Person ID	I603	My Genealogy | Laviolette Ancestry, Laviolette Ancestry
  Last Modified	4 Feb 2024

  
  

  Father	ALDEN, George,   b. 27 Jan 1573   d. 12 Sep 1620, Southampton, Hampshire, England (Age 47 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Mother	FOWLK, Jane,   b. 1584, Southampton, Hampshire, England d. 10 Mar 1664, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age 80 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Marriage	1598	Southampton, Hampshire, England
  Family ID	F135	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	MULLINS, Priscilla Sarah,   b. 5 Feb 1602, Dorking, Surrey, England d. Bef 1687, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age < 84 years)
  Marriage	12 May 1622	Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   [5, 6]
  Children	+ 1. ALDEN, John,   b. 1626/27, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 14 Mar 1701/02, Massachusetts, USA (Age 75 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   2. ALDEN, Jonathan,   b. Abt 1633, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 14 Feb 1697, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age 64 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   3. ALDEN, Elizabeth,   b. 31 May 1625, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 31 May 1717, Little Compton, Newport, Rhode Island, USA (Age 92 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   4. ALDEN, Joseph,   b. Aft 22 May 1627, Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 8 Feb 1696, Bridgewater, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age < 68 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   5. ALDEN, Sarah,   b. Abt 1634, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 13 Jun 1688, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age 54 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural] + 6. ALDEN, Ruth,   b. Abt 1637, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 12 Oct 1674, Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA (Age 37 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   7. ALDEN, David,   b. 1646, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 1718, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA (Age 72 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   8. ALDEN, Rebecca,   b. Bef 1649, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. 1740, Massachusetts, USA (Age > 91 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   9. ALDEN, Mary,   b. 1635, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. Aft 13 Jun 1688, Braintree, Norfolk, Massachusetts, USA (Age > 53 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]   10. ALDEN, Priscilla,   b. 1631, Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA d. Aft 12 Jun 1688 (Age > 57 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
  Family ID	F153	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	4 Feb 2024

  
  

• Event Map

  Residence - I am saving this record as a source of names associated with Alden in England. Ailwan and Aylwin were family Alden names. These families were well known to be in all eastern counties of England during the Norman invasion of 1066. - 1599 - England Birth - 15 Sep 1599 - Harwich, Essex, England Residence - Between 1600 and 1890 - USA Baptism - 6 Jul 1600 - Hackney, Middlesex, England Arrival - 1620 - Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Misc - Mayflower Pilgrim - 1620 - Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Marriage - 12 May 1622 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Residence - 1632 - Duxbury, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, USA Residence - Listed are John Alden's parents, possible grandparents, his wife, Priscilla, his children, and assorted Plymouth work he performed, generally associated with government - 1633 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Residence - A sampling of what life was like during this time period for John Alden and his pilgrim friends. - 1638 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Residence - Alden homestead was built here - 1640 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Record Date - 1687 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Possessions - www.alden.org/our_house/househistory.htm - - Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA _ORIG - - Southampton, Hampshire, England Death - 12 Sep 1687 - Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA Burial - - South Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Photos
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
  		At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.

  
  

  Documents		Alden,John-The-Great-Migration-Begins
  		John Alden (1598 - 1687) - Find A Grave Memorial
  		John Alden _ Billion Graves Headstone, Cemetery, and Grave Record _ Duxbury, Massachusetts, United States 5316313
  		Pilgrim Village Families Sketch_ John Alden
  		alden_john
  		Great Migration: John Alden (1599-1687) https://www.americanancestors.org/DB393/rd/12107/21/235171134 John was a member of the Mayflower’s crew, working as a cooper to maintain the ships barrels, and he was among the signers of the Mayflower Compact. John was given the choice by his employers to stay in America or return to England after the voyage, and he chose to stay and marry Priscilla Mullins, who had lost her entire family the first winter in Plymouth. The couple’s love was immortalized in an 1858 bestselling poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - a direct descendant of John and Priscilla - titled ‘The Courtship of Miles Standish’.  We are descended through our Laviolette (DeRochemont) branch. After fully documenting our lineage, I was accepted as a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. This means that other family who wish to join are able to do so by using that same documented line.

  
  

  Histories

  John Alden Senior of Boston

  
  

  External Links

  
  

  Albums		Mayflower Ancestors (34) Uncovering our connections to the Mayflower ancestors has been a journey of profound significance. This exploration into our family's past has not only linked us to a crucial chapter in American history but has also provided a deeper understanding of our roots and heritage. The realization that our lineage traces back to those early settlers who braved the unknown for a chance at religious freedom and a new life is both humbling and inspiring. It's a reminder of the resilience and courage that run in our family's veins, traits passed down through generations. This collection of research is more than a compilation of names and dates; it's a tribute to the enduring spirit of our ancestors, whose decisions and sacrifices have shaped the course of our family's story. Their legacy is a cherished part of our identity, offering a sense of belonging and continuity that enriches our understanding of who we are and where we come from.
  		Great Migration (119) The "Great Migration," as defined by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), encompasses the English Puritan migration to New England from 1620 to 1640. This movement primarily involved English Puritans who relocated in family units, driven by a quest for religious freedom and the aspiration to establish a Puritan commonwealth. These migrants originated from various regions of England and settled in areas that now form Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, including the Plymouth Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. An individual's inclusion in the Great Migration Study Project requires evidence of migration to New England within the specified period of 1620 to 1640. The project's objective is to compile biographical and genealogical profiles of all immigrants who arrived in New England during these two decades. The NEHGS has produced extensive volumes and directories, providing details about the lives of these immigrants. This collection presents research on many ancestors who were part of this significant historical migration. You may be shocked by how many there are. Even I was at first. However, most of these Great Migration ancestors are my 9th and 10th great-grandparents, and in some cases 11th and 12th, and with the number of great-grandparents doubling with each generation, the possibilities quickly become immense. We have a total of 1024 sets of 9th great-grandparents and 2048 sets of 10th great-grandparents. This makes finding so many Great Migration ancestors more understandable.

  
  

• Notes

  The youngest of the Pilgrims who became involved in government at the start of Plymouth Colony; when they arrived he was 21. Alden was at first assigned to live with the family of Captain Standish and he lived with this family until he was married. There is a story that after the death of Mrs. Standish, the Captain asked John to ask for the hand of Priscilla Mullins on his behalf. John is said to have been qite handsome, and Priscilla responded to him "Prithee, John, why do you not speak for yourself?" Later, John and Priscilla married and it is fabled that Captain Standish never forgave John. However, history doesn't really support this as John and Captain Standish spent the rest of their lives working together in the government, worshiping in the same church, and their children intermarried. In 1626, John worked with Standish, Brewster, Howland and others to pay the debts, contracted in England, and to prevent the ruin of the colony's credit. In 1631, John moved to Duxbury and settled on the land that had been granted hin there on the South side of the Bluefish river. He bult his house near Eagletree Pond. The original grant gave him 169 acres. In 1633 he was appointed as a member of the Board of Assistants to the Governor, a position he continued in almost continually until his death. He often served as Deputy Governor and served as Governor in his absence. He was often on the council of war, many times an arbitrator, a surveyor of lands for the government and for individuals, and several times was authorized to serve as an agent or attorney for the colony. He was chosen treasurer in 1656 and held that office for 3 years. There was little pay for all these years of public service and while John Alden began with assets, these dwindled over time as he had little time to devote to his own affairs. When he died, he left an estate of only 50 pounds sterling. He is described as "He was possessed of sound judgment, and of talents, which though not brilliant, were by no means ordinary and disputable. The writers who mention him, bear ample testimony to his industry, integrity, and exemplary piety, and he has represented as a worthy and useful man, of great humility, and eminent for the sanctity of life. He was decided, ardent, resolute and persevering, indifferent of danger, a bold and hardy man stern and austere and unyielding, of incorruptible integrity, an iron-nerved puritan who could hew down forests and live on crumbs" He died in Duxbury at age 87 on 12 Sep 1686. He was the last surviving signer of the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 English colonists on the ship Mayflower on November 11, 1620, was the first written framework of government established in what is now the United States. The compact was drafted to prevent dissent amongst Puritans and non-separatist Pilgrims who had landed at Plymouth a few days earlier. The Mayflower Compact was the first democratic document to be drafted in the New World, and became a model for later documents, such as the Constitution. Basically, the Mayflower Compact was the first governing document in America. The Mayflower Compact is the first document in American history demonstrating the attempt to form a government based of the concept that government should derive its power from the “consent of the governed.” The Mayflower Compact specified basic laws and social rules for the new colony and served as a foundation for the democratic structure of the settlers. The significance of the Mayflower Compact is that it contains extremely important concepts that helped to shape the History of America. Fact 1: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated as it was based on the concept of majority rule Fact 2: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated as it was the first known document that provided self-government in America Fact 3: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated as it was the first democratic government to be established in the colonies - The colonists agreed to choose their leaders and make their own laws which they agreed to follow Fact 4: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated because it stated that the adult males, not including servants, who settled at Plymouth, would have the right to vote on issues Fact 5: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated by its democratic concept of law made by and for the people Fact 6: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is illustrated as it expressed mutual regard for one another as equals in the sight of God Fact 7: The significance of the Mayflower Compact is because it is often cited as one of the foundations of the US Constitution setting a precedent as the foundational document for the Plymouth Colony The Mayflower Compact set a precedent and was an influential document for the Founding Fathers as they created the US Constitution. The Mayflower Compact made a significant contribution to the creation of a new democratic nation which would become the United States of America. Immediately after agreeing to the Mayflower Compact, the signers elected John Carver (one of the Pilgrim leaders) as governor of their colony. They called it Plymouth Plantation. When Governor Carver died in less than a year, William Bradford, age 31, replaced him. Each year thereafter the "Civil Body Politic," consisting of all adult males except indentured servants, assembled to elect the governor and a small number of assistants. Bradford was re-elected 30 times between 1621 and 1656. In the early years Governor Bradford pretty much decided how the colony should be run. Few objected to his one-man rule. As the colony's population grew due to immigration, several new towns came into existence. The roving and increasingly scattered population found it difficult to attend the General Court, as the governing meetings at Plymouth came to be called. By 1639, deputies were sent to represent each town at the other General Court sessions. Not only self-rule, but representative government had taken root on American soil. The English Magna Carta, written more than 400 years before the Mayflower Compact, established the principle of the rule of law. In England this still mostly meant the king's law. The Mayflower Compact continued the idea of law made by the people. This idea lies at the heart of democracy. From its crude beginning in Plymouth, self-government evolved into the town meetings of New England and larger local governments in colonial America. By the time of the Constitutional Convention, the Mayflower Compact had been nearly forgotten, but the powerful idea of self-government had not. Born out of necessity on the Mayflower, the Compact made a significant contribution to the creation of a new democratic nation.

  
  

• Sources

  [S1209] Ancestry.com, Web: BillionGraves.com Burial Index, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2013;). [S1211] Wheeler, Walter, F., An Illustrated Guide to Historic Plymouth, Massachusetts, Pgs 42--47. [S1212] The Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to New England 1620-1633, Volumes I-III, Pages 21-26, Entry on John Alden. Alden,John-The-Great-Migration-Begins [S1259] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;). [S1578] Ancestry Family Trees, (Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.;), Database online. Record for John Alden http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=-1059208297&indiv=try [S1210] Winsor, Justin, History of the Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts with Genealogical Registers, Pgs 55-63. John Alden biographical sketch